Veteran Stories:The First World War

Between 1914 and 1918, over 650,000 Canadians served at home and overseas, including with both Canadian and British land, air, and naval forces. Along the Western Front in Belgium and France, Canadian soldiers distinguished themselves in numerous battles, including Second Ypres (1915), Vimy Ridge (1917), and Passchendaele (1917). In the last Hundred Days of the war, Canadian “shock troops” played a major role in breaking through the enemy’s trench defences. Canadians also contributed greatly to the production and supply of war materials and foodstuffs to the Allies. The “Great War” was a major benchmark in Canada’s national development.